Hybrid Vehicle Power Boost via Controller-Managed Energy Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles with low-powered internal combustion engines struggle to provide peak power demands, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in performance, especially when energy storage devices like flywheels or ultracapacitors are depleted, necessitating additional power sources to enhance acceleration and performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power boosting feature, such as a supercharger, turbocharger, nitrous oxide injection system, or variable displacement engine, to supplement the engine's power, along with a controller to manage power flow from energy storage devices, engine, and boosting feature, ensuring efficient power distribution to meet performance demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the internal combustion engine is designed to provide peak power for acceleration, then the vehicle can achieve desired acceleration performance, but fuel consumption increases and the engine cannot operate in its most fuel-efficient range
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery function is segmented between two power sources: the internal combustion engine handles steady-state and fuel-efficient operation, while the electric motor provides peak power during acceleration. This segmentation allows each power source to operate in its optimal efficiency range, resolving the contradiction between peak power availability and fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the internal combustion engine and electric motor into a hybrid powertrain system where both power sources work together. The engine and motor are merged through a coupling mechanism that allows power from either or both sources to be delivered to the wheels, enabling the vehicle to achieve peak power without requiring the engine alone to be oversized, thus improving fuel efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the internal combustion engine is downsized to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the engine cannot provide sufficient peak power for acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a downsized internal combustion engine with an electric motor to create a hybrid powertrain. The downsized engine operates at high efficiency points, while the electric motor supplements power during high-demand situations. This combination allows the engine to be smaller and more fuel-efficient while the electric motor provides the necessary peak power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the downsized engine's limited peak power output and the vehicle's acceleration requirements. During acceleration, the electric motor provides additional torque to compensate for the smaller engine's limitations, allowing the engine to remain downsized for fuel efficiency while meeting peak power demands.
3Power
If energy storage devices like flywheels or ultracapacitors are used to provide power boost, then peak power availability increases, but the system complexity increases and performance is limited when energy storage devices are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor serves as an intermediary energy storage and delivery device that provides power boost during acceleration without requiring separate flywheel or ultracapacitor systems. The motor can rapidly draw power from the battery and deliver it to the wheels, providing peak power availability while avoiding the complexity of multiple energy storage systems. The motor's electrical nature allows for controlled, on-demand power delivery without the mechanical complexity of kinetic energy storage systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables hybrid vehicles to achieve desired power levels by selectively engaging the power boosting feature based on energy availability and user input, enhancing acceleration and performance without overburdening the engine, thus optimizing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
A hybrid vehicle includes at least one axle, an energy storage device disposed within the hybrid vehicle, a fuel consuming engine... The flywheel is configured to produce between 10 kWatts and 200 kWatts of power for driving the one or more axles
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle includes at least one axle, an energy storage device disposed within the hybrid vehicle, a fuel consuming engine, a power boosting feature, and a controller. The fuel consuming engine is operably connected to selectively provide power to at least one of the energy storage device and the at least one axle. The engine is capable of providing at least the mean but less than a peak power to drive the hybrid vehicle over a typical route. The power boosting feature is configured to provide the fuel consuming engine with additional power to achieve a desired power to accelerate the hybrid vehicle. The controller is adapted to selectively control power flow to the one or more axles from one or more of the energy storage device, the engine, and the power boosting feature to achieve the desired power.